Is it safe to take heartburn medication on a long-term basis?

DEAR DOCTOR K: I've been taking Prilosec for years to prevent heartburn. My wife doesn't think it's safe to take any drug for that long. What do you think?
DEAR READER: I've said it before, but I think it bears repeating: No drug is 100 percent safe. That doesn't mean that you shouldn't take one if you need it. But you should continually weigh the risks and benefits.